We Don't Eat

More Like McSorrow

We Don't Eat by James Vincent McMorrow

"There's something alive in this song, and it's gently growing. It's a lovely song, but it leaves me with a feeling of melancholy or nostalgia."

This is a really beautiful song.

McMorrow writes about figuring out who he is...and figuring out who He is. That is to say, he speaks eloquently about his struggles with his faith as he finds his way in the world.

On the one hand, he's rather be working for something than praying for the rain. But on the other hand, he always remembers his mother's assertions that God is the one we can turn to for everything.

The Biblical allusions are subtle but powerful.

In the chorus, mother's list is about saying grace before meals, when prayer thanks the Father and turns the devil to dust. Then she reminds him that man can never love the way God can, so all you can do is trust in Him (x).

The 2000 years references the time since Jesus walked the Earth.

I'm sure there are other hints nestled in the poetry of these lyrics, but my knowledge of the Bible doesn't run that deep.

I love this description of the song: "gently growing."

The piano intro is delicate and lovely. Then we get into the chord progressions that makeup a majority of the background instrumentals throughout the song. Then strings are introduced. And then a slight reverb is added to the vocal line. Every step builds upon the previous until we have a very full sound.

It's a musical journey that mirrors the way the speaker questions and eventually regains his faith.

The biggest build is here, after the bridge. He has questioned himself long enough, and it's time to accept that he's leading a good life, or at least that he's doing the best he can.

When we get to the final rendition of the chorus, it's clearly the climax, and it's brimming with confidence and more than a bit of trust.

Overview:

Genre:
Folk

Favorite Lyrics:
I'd rather be working for something
than praying for the rain.

Verdict:
expansive but warm...like God, I guess